Author Topic: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)  (Read 15671 times)

Online Chris Bergin

Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« on: 10/10/2005 08:45 am »
Lockheed Martin Atlas V rocket with NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto from Pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Launch Window: 2:07 p.m. to 4:07 p.m.
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Offline Sergi Manstov

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Offline Avron

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #2 on: 10/21/2005 06:11 pm »
is the launch time critical.. or can they delay for a few weeks with no real impact?

Offline Rocket Guy

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #3 on: 10/21/2005 08:26 pm »
It's critical as with any planetary window. It closes February 14 BUT...and a big BUT...it has to launch by February 2nd to get the Jupiter assist and arrive at Pluto in 2015.

If it launches after February 2 (2-15) or even postpones a whole year, it won't get to pluto until 2020.

Offline FransonUK

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #4 on: 10/22/2005 10:25 am »
Always wanted to know this, how does this planetary assist thing work? Is it where it swings around a planet and slingshots off faster?
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Offline FransonUK

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #5 on: 10/22/2005 10:33 am »
By the way, I checked google and stuff like this confuses the hell out of me ;)

http://www.go.ednet.ns.ca/~larry/orbits/gravasst/gravasst.html
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Offline Tahii

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #6 on: 10/22/2005 11:10 pm »
My understanding of it is as such:

The probe is already going at some magnificent speed around the sun. At a point where it is near another planet, the planet's gravity pulls the probe toward it. This has the effect of speeding up the probe. The probe is going far too fast to go into orbit around the planet, so instead, it just flys by the planet, and continues on its merry way. The end result? A probe going a hell of a lot faster than before, and on a new orbit that will take it to its intended destination.

Offline FransonUK

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #7 on: 10/23/2005 09:29 pm »
Thanks, but once it goes past the planet, how does it avoid getting the opposite pull from the same planet?
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Offline MKremer

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #8 on: 10/23/2005 11:12 pm »
It's speed is above the planet's escape velocity. The planet's gravity does slow it down some on the outbound leg, but it's still a considerable gain in energy (increased velocity) than it had prior to encountering the planet.

Offline Avron

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #9 on: 10/24/2005 03:51 am »
Quote
FransonUK - 23/10/2005  5:29 PM

Thanks, but once it goes past the planet, how does it avoid getting the opposite pull from the same planet?

Look at the acceleration vectors, you are correct, there is a vector on depature from the planet, but the net vector is a gain in velocity and a course change.. ( time in the planet gravitational zone, has something to do with the net gain - if I am correct in my recall)

Offline FransonUK

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #10 on: 10/24/2005 08:34 pm »
That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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Offline Rocket Guy

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #11 on: 10/29/2005 06:05 pm »
First posted here:

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=1467&st=60

You can see how the launch window plays out in terms of arrival and Jupiter's assist.

Offline Terry Rocket

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #12 on: 10/30/2005 08:33 am »
Some major differences there! Thanks for posting that as I had no idea the window was 'that' critical.

Offline Rocket Guy

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #13 on: 10/30/2005 04:05 pm »
Someone responded to the thread saying that that chart is a bit old and may be a little off now, but you get the idea.

Offline Spacely

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #14 on: 10/30/2005 11:58 pm »
Wire reports keep putting the New Horizons' Atlas V at 200-odd feet. This seems exceptionally tall, a good 50 feet taller than the STS stack, correct?

Offline Avron

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #15 on: 10/31/2005 12:54 am »
Quote
Ben - 30/10/2005  12:05 PM

Someone responded to the thread saying that that chart is a bit old and may be a little off now, but you get the idea.

Ben, any news on Launch date? or are we looking at a "Pluto-Direct" mission?

Offline Rocket Guy

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #16 on: 10/31/2005 03:40 am »
The launch is Jan. 11, no change.

The Shuttle stack is 184 tall. The Atlas 5 is 196 feet tall with this fairing.

Offline Flightstar

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #17 on: 10/31/2005 11:20 pm »
Mission: New Horizons
Launch Vehicle: Lockheed Martin Atlas V 551 (AV-010)
Launch Pad: Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Jan. 11, 2006
Launch Window: 2:07 to 4:07 p.m. EST

On Oct. 24, Hurricane Wilma damaged the specially-built fabric
MegaDoor which covers the large opening of the Atlas V Vertical
Integration Facility. The Atlas 5 rocket and some ground support
equipment were slightly damaged. There were no injuries. NASA and
Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians are assessing the damage
and the recovery process, including door repair options, to confirm
the continued ability to support the launch.

The spacecraft was returned to a work stand Inside the Payload
Hazardous Servicing Facility. It was removed from the protective
shipping container, where it had been placed before the hurricane.
The spacecraft's outside surfaces are being cleaned.


Offline Shuttle Scapegoat

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #18 on: 11/01/2005 06:59 pm »
So was it damaged or not ;)

Offline Rocket Guy

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RE: Atlas V launch (Jan. 11, 2006)
« Reply #19 on: 11/01/2005 09:20 pm »
I was told today this from someone at LockMart working on it that again, there was really no damage to the rocket itself, only ground support. They may decide to switch out one of the SRBs anyway, because they feel it is safer and is faster to just get a new one than conduct precautionary tests.

It sounds to me like they may not know for sure; that the fabric door might have struck the rocket but left no marks that indicate it did or didn't. In otherwords, they are assuming it didn't but are taking no chances by swapping out the SRB.

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